Describes Sandia National Laboratories' wide-ranging analysis of local, state, and national education systems. On most measures (dropout and retention rates, standardized test scores, higher education enrollment, education spending, international comparisons, educator status, and work-force skills), lab found steady or slight improvement. Schools…

A study of the statistics on enrollment trends, popular attitudes, school effectiveness, standardized test scores, and educational reforms convinces the author that the American educational system is strong, effective, and beginning to gain the popular support it deserves. (PGD)

Describes U.S. student body's unique diversity and startling demographic changes to come, considers student achievement data from grade school to graduate school, discusses educators' failures in working with certain students, and indicates what must be done to educate all young Americans. Concentrating efforts on at-risk students (lowest 40%) and…